Chilly start for Solana’s energy adviser

From European Voice's Entre-Nous column

1/7/09, 5:00 PM CET

Updated 4/23/14, 8:51 PM CET

Advice that can't come too soon.

Javier Solana may have been stamping his feet somewhat impotently while the latest dispute between Russia and Ukraine over gas prices has sent pressure gauges dropping in Europe’s pipelines, but, in one respect, the EU’s foreign policy chief has shown impeccable timing: he began the year by appointing a personal adviser on energy and foreign-policy issues. Steven Everts, whose brief will include climate change as well as energy security, has been working in Solana’s cabinet as an adviser since January 2005. Before that he worked for the Centre for European Reform, a London-based pro-EU think-tank. Everts becomes Solana’s fifth personal representative, joining a group responsible for human rights, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Parliamentary affairs relating to EU foreign policy and African peacekeeping capabilities.